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Breakthrough research reveals a new target for Alzheimer's disease treatment

14 October 2015

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​A research team led by Amantha Thathiah (VIB/KU Leuven) has determined that a protein – known as GPR3 – might play an important role in alleviating the cognitive deficits and reducing the generation of ‘amyloid plaques’. These abnormal clusters of protein fragments build up between nerve cells and disrupt communication in the brain, which makes them prime suspects for causing Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The results were announced in the leading journal ‘Science Translational Medicine’. The identification of GPR3 as an AD therapeutic target provides an important new perspective in AD drug development.

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia. It is characterised by a gradual degeneration of the brain networks that are involved in memory and cognition.

Explaining amyloid plaquesA pathological hallmark of AD is the accumulation of protein fragments between nerve cells in the brain. These protein fragments are created by secretases, enzymes that cleave proteins into smaller pieces. One of the fragments that is produced following cleavage by the γ-secretase is the amyloid-β peptide, which aggregates to form amyloid plaques. The accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients leads to the gradual degeneration of brain networks and disruption of mental function.

A closer look at GPR3Amantha Thathiah (VIB/KU Leuven): “We discovered that G protein-coupled receptor 3 (GPR3), a protein expressed in the brain, plays a significant role in the generation of amyloid-peptides and accumulation of amyloid plaques. Our research indicates that the absence of GPR3 alleviates the cognitive decline and reduces amyloid pathology in multiple disease-relevant models. These studies identify GPR3 as a therapeutic target for AD and provide a significant level of validation necessary for the future of AD drug discovery.”

Mouse models and the human brain AD mouse models are important tools to study AD progression. However, no mouse model fully captures the pathological changes in AD patients. Consequently, validation of AD therapeutic targets in multiple models is required prior to advancing to clinical research.

Amantha Thathiah (VIB/KU Leuven): “Although the loss of GPR3 reduced amyloid burden and improved cognition in four AD mouse models, we also evaluated the GPR3 expression in post-mortem brain tissue from two cohorts of AD patients. These studies revealed that GPR3 expression is elevated in a subset of AD patients and is associated with disease progression.”

Opening the doors of clinical researchThese studies provide a significant preclinical validation for GPR3 and set the bar for therapeutic validation in the development of AD drug targets. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) already play a fundamental role in the regulation of various physiological and pathological processes. Over 50% of marketed drugs target GPCRs.

Bart de Strooper (VIB/KU Leuven): “Given the vast resources required to develop and evaluate a new therapy, demonstrating the relevance of research findings in multiple disease-relevant models is crucial. Our research provides exactly this level of validation.”

VIB Discovery Sciences boosts translational researchTranslating fundamental scientific findings – such as the groundbreaking research of Amantha Thathiah, Bart de Strooper and their team – into clinical research and medical practice is crucial for the maintenance of human health and well-being. Given the growing importance of translational research, the VIB has launched VIB Discovery Sciences – a team dedicated to turning new scientific insights into benefits for society. VIB Drug Discovery works toward delivering validated candidates for further clinical research and drug development.

QuestionsAs this research may raise questions, we want to ask you to list the e-mail address that the VIB has made available for questions in your report or article. Everyone can contact us with questions about this research and other medical research: patients*Replace*With*At*Sign*vib.be.​​